Fr. Nathaniel Haslam LC discusses the call of every Christian to evangelize

Fr. Nathaniel Haslam LC offered his insights into one of
the writings of Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of
the Gospel), at one of the local parishes in the
Houston, Texas area. On August 6, 2014, to a group
gathered at St. Cecelia’s parish, he discussed the implications of
the document for all Christians.

One of the greatest weaknesses in
the modern Church is the lack of missionary outreach, he
said. Every person has a vocation to evangelize.

Quoting the Pope,
Fr. Nathaniel said, “I am a ‘mission’ on this earth.
That is the reason why I am here. I am
sent. You are sent.”

Highlighting the charism of Regnum Christi to
form apostles for that very reason, he focused on what
he sees as the main points of the Pope’s teaching.

“Jesus
is the center of reality for a Christian,” he said.
“God is central to who you are as a person.”

Christ
invites all to share the “good news” of the Gospel,
he said, and evangelization is always based on a love
for Christ.

He said Christians must have a “personal, passionate encounter
with Jesus” through the Eucharist, prayer, the sacraments and fraternal
fellowship with their brothers and sisters.

He suggested his audience encounter
Jesus in contemplation in Eucharistic Adoration, so they can remain
filled with “the living water of Jesus.”

He reassured his listeners
that evangelization does not always mean going out to a
remote country. “Most of the work you do will be
with the people around you,” said Fr. Nathaniel.

He told his
audience that God has put certain people in their path,
and they have opportunity to transmit Jesus to those people.